Game apparatus



April 3,1934. w, J, KNQX I 1,953,810

GAME APPARATUS Original Filed May 18, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet. 1

I VENT OR %nomvzy April V V. J. KNOX 1,953,310

eams APPARATUS 1 ori inal Filed may 18, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I 6 J YT IPatented Apr. 3, 1934 warren stares PATENT or ies Divided and thisapplication March 27, 1933, Serial No. 662,956

2 Claims. (01. 273129) The invention relates to an apparatus for gamesand constitutes a division of my Patent No. 1,906,865, dated May 2,1983. The construction involves the use of a chute for projecting a ballor other circular shooter, and is shown as applied to a table top, butit will be understood that the chute may be used with any kind of a flatsurface, whether it be with the top of the special table shown, or witha board which may be placed on a floor or table, or with the flooritself, or with the top of an ordinary table. The invention has for itsprincipal objects, the provision of a construction particularly adaptedfor games, such as ten pins, and having an improved chute which may beused to discharge the balls, or discs employed at any desired speed andat any desired angle. Other objects of the invention will appear inconnection with the description following and the drawings, wherein:

Figs. 1, 2, and 3 show the table preferably employed, Fig. 1 being aside elevation, Fig. 2 a plan view, and Fig. 3 a section on the lineIII-III of Fig. 2, the latter figure showing the chute which is notshown in Figs. 1 and 2. Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are detail views showing theadjustment for leveling the table. Fig. '7 is a detail sectional Viewthrough the edge of the table showing a modification. And Figs. 8 to 12are detail views of the chute, Fig. 8 being a plan view, Fig. 9 a sideelevai tion, Fig. 10 a bottom view, Fig. 11 an end View,

and Fig. 12 a side elevation showing the chute in position of use.

The body of the table comprises the top plate or board 1, the sidestrips 2, 2, and the end members 3 and 4, all rigidly secured togetherby any suitable means. These parts are preferably all of wood. The sideand end strips form stiifeners for the top plate, thus avoiding thenecessity for the usual underframing, and at the same time serve as thebounding strips for the balls or discs as used in the game for which thetable is designed. At the four corners of the table are the metalbrackets 5, 5, 5, 5 secured to the top plate and side members by screws,and in these members are pivoted the legs 6, 6, 6, 6, held in theposition shown by the braces 7, 7, '7, '7 pivoted to the legs, andhaving their ends turned at right angles and engaging perforations inthe holding brackets 8, 8, 8, 8. The features relating to the foldingand adjustment of the legs are described in detail and claimed in myapplication heretofore referred to, and therefore require no furtherexplanation here.

The face of the plate or board may be used for various games. It ismarked for ten pins, as indicated at 9; for checkers, as indicated at10; and for shufiie board, as indicated at 11. The board is especiallyserviceable in games like ten pins, which employ balls or discs, as theside members 2, 2 and end members 3, 4 prevent the balls or 50 othermovable members used in the game from leaving the table.

If desired, the top of the table may be provided with a removable metalpan 12, as shown in Fig. 7, which may be used to protect the wood, orfor the purpose of giving a differently marked or indented surface tomeet the requirements of different games. Such pan may be made ofaluminum or other suitable material. The legs of the table arepreferably provided with the leveling devices shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6,such devices comprising the sleeves 13, in which the members 14 arethreaded. The members 14 are preferably provided with the rubber pads15. These devices are especially useful in connection with games, suchas ten pins, in which a level table surface is essential for accurateplay. The sides of the table may also be provided with spirit levels 16,

16 to assist in leveling the board.

When the table is used for ten pins or similar games, the chute 1'7(Figs. 8 to 12) is used. This chute is provided with a groove 18 for theball 19, and is constructed so that any desired adjustment may besecured to give the ball the desired direc- U tion and speed ofmovement. A spring member 35 20 serves to give the ball additionalimpetus, such spring being shown in the dotted lines A in retractedposition ready to be released. The lower side of the chute provided witha plurality of transverse grooves 21 adapted to engage the upper edge ofthe end member 3. The inclination of the chute to the horizontal tocontrol the speed of the ball may be regulated by this means. The chutemay also be adjusted along the member 3, and may be tilted laterally atany desired angle, due to the tapering shape of the grooves 21, asindicated in Fig. 10. The shape of the groove 18 may be modified to meetrequirements in case some other form of shooter is employed. Theinvention is not limited to the use of a chute having the grooves 21 onits lower side, but the grooved construction is preferred, as thegrooves provide a means for steadying the device and holding it securelyin position while discharging the balls or discs.

What I claim is:

1. In combination in apparatus for use with a playing surface, asupporting strip thereon and an adjustable chute having a series oftransverse grooves on its lower side adapted to engage the upper edge ofsaid strip and permit the chute to be adjusted along said strip and alsotransversely thereof to tilt the chute to varying angles of inclinationwith respect to said surface, said grooves tapering in width from theircenters to their ends to permit the chute to be tilted laterally.

, WILLIAM J. KNOX.

